Some games stand out from the crowd with their endless replay value, gathering a devoted audience that keeps returning to them again and again.
Be it for their rich mechanics, immersive world, exciting objectives, or fantastic customization or modding options – these productions manage to keep us invested for days, contrary to some popular titles offering a few hours of entertainment.
Here is our guide to the best games for replayability and long-term engagement, presenting examples of titles that continue to entertain players for hundreds or even thousands of hours. Who knows, maybe you will become their next fan?
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | Video | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition | 2012 | Simulator & Indie | Mojang Studios | |
 | Sid Meiers Civilization VI | 2016-10-20 | Strategy & Simulator | Aspyr (Mac, Linux) | |
 | The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim | 2016-10-27 | Role-playing (RPG) & Adventure | Bethesda Game Studios | |
 | Stardew Valley | 2016-02-26 | Strategy & Simulator | ConcernedApe | |
 | Hades | 2020-09-17 | Hack and slash/Beat 'em up & Indie | Supergiant Games | |
 | Factorio | 2020-08-14 | Strategy & Simulator | Wube Software LTD. | |
 | RimWorld | 2016-07-15 | Simulator & Indie | Ludeon Studios |
Minecraft
Minecraft (2011) needs no introduction – this open-world sandbox experience with procedurally generated terrain and pretty much limitless building possibilities has become a go-to relaxing (or challenging!) game for millions of players.
Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition
Release Date: 2011
Genres: Adventure, Simulator
The huge modding community enhances Minecraft’s infinite gameplay potential, with intuitive mechanics focused on exploration, unleashing one’s creativity, and problem-solving, keeping players around the world immersed in the universe made of blocks.
Civilization VI
The Civilization series is one of the prime examples of “just one more turn” effect in action. With multiple playable civilizations and scenarios, randomized maps, and varied victory conditions, each playthrough of Civilization VI (2016) offers a new exciting challenge perfect for every turn-based strategy games enthusiast.
Sid Meier's Civilization VI
Release Date: October 20, 2016
Genres: Simulator, Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS)
No wonder some of them spend hundreds or even thousands of hours in the game, especially with many DLCs available for an even richer experience.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Released in 2011, Skyrim quickly became one of the most beloved open-world RPGs ever.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
Release Date: October 27, 2016
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
With its non-linear quest structure, hundreds of places to visit and explore, and intuitive character development system, the game continues to amaze next generations of players and stays alive years after its original release thanks to one of the most active modding scenes in gaming history.
Stardew Valley
As one of the indie phenomena, Stardew Valley (2016) gathers thousands of players every day with its pixel-art charm and cozy vibes, freedom to manage and design their farm, and countless secrets to discover.
Stardew Valley
Release Date: February 26, 2016
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Indie, Adventure
Random and seasonal events, continuous support from the game’s creator, Eric Barone (ConcernedApe), long-awaited cooperative mode, and various mods available never fail to deliver a unique, relaxing, and sometimes challenging experience you want to keep delving into.
Hades
Famous for its interesting lore, fast-paced action, procedurally generated rooms, and randomized power-ups, Hades (2020) is a true gem in the rogue-like crowd.
Hades
Release Date: September 17, 2020
Genres: Adventure, Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Indie
No two runs are the same here, and as the gameplay loop involves both branching storylines and narrative progression integrated with repeated failures, the game stays fresh and engaging even after hours spent on escaping from the Underworld.
Factorio
Set in an endless 2D world, Factorio (2020) has a simple premise of building a factory and working on production automation. Don’t let that simplicity fool you, though – the game’s complexity and masterfully crafted “just one more task” loop grants hundreds of hours of fun for many players.
Factorio
Release Date: February 25, 2016
Genres: Simulator, Strategy, Indie
Problem-solving, smart planning, setting long- and short-term goals, and constant hunger for improvements are both required and rewarded, keeping them occupied with the base game and various mods alike.
RimWorld
A colony simulator driven by an AI storyteller, RimWorld (2018), is a truly unique experience based on random event generation.
RimWorld
Release Date: July 15, 2016
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator, Strategy, Indie
Each colony, set on a procedurally generated map, faces unique challenges with the narrator continually designing its story through their knowledge and simulation of psychology, ecology, diplomacy, combat, art, and more. Serving as a one-of-a-kind story generator, RimWorld can additionally be modded for pretty much infinite gameplay.
Though completely different in terms of genre and premise, these seven titles are sure to satisfy your itch for an amazing game with huge replayability value due to their depth, variability, or modding opportunities. Whether you prefer careful strategizing, fast-paced action, or just want to relax on your cozy farm – we highly recommend checking these amazing replayable games out yourself!